Chennai, 12 Nov (H.S.): Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh’s bid for bail could come before the Madras High Court on Thursday, following an urgent hearing request by his counsel in a case concerning alleged payments for private school approvals.

Senior advocate P. Wilson mentioned the application before Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, who indicated that it could be considered on Thursday if the required procedural formalities were completed.

Mahesh, who remains in judicial custody, approached the High Court after a special court hearing corruption cases rejected his bail plea. He is seeking release while the proceedings against him continue.

The prosecution’s allegations centre on the collection of crores of rupees from private schools, purportedly as contributions to party funds, in exchange for securing permanent recognition and other permissions.

Those alleged collections form the basis of the bribery case against the former minister. The accusations have yet to be adjudicated, and the High Court has not decided his request for bail.

P.D. Arasakumar has already been arrested in connection with the case, while former legislators Muthukumar and Saravanan have surrendered. The proceedings concern alleged financial transactions linked to recognition and permissions for private schools in Tamil Nadu.

In a separate legal challenge, Mahesh has also petitioned the High Court to quash the case. That plea concerns whether the criminal proceedings should continue, while the bail application seeks his release from custody pending further proceedings.

Wilson requested an adjournment of the quashing petition. Accepting the request, Justice Lakshminarayanan deferred its hearing to November 30.

The two applications therefore remain at different stages. The bail plea could be taken up on Thursday, subject to procedural requirements, while the petition challenging the case will be considered later this month.

Any hearing on Thursday would concern Mahesh’s release from custody; it would not determine his guilt.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman